Beachfront Homes in North Carolina Succumb to Erosion

In Buxton, North Carolina, some beachfront stilt homes have recently collapsed into the ocean, marking a significant uptick in such incidents—totaling 12 claims along the Atlantic in just five years.

One two-story house at the northern end of Hatteras Island fell down on Tuesday, scattering debris across the sand. It was a considerable mess—definitely not easy to clean up. Mike Barber, a spokesperson for the area, noted that the house wasn’t accessible for inspection.

Barber elaborated that the teams are currently working to tidy up the beach south of the collapse, stating that homeowners are looking to hire contractors to dismantle the remaining parts of the structure and clear away any associated debris.

Interestingly, all 11 earlier incidents before May 2020 occurred in Rodanthe, a quaint village in eastern North Carolina, often mentioned by the novelist Nicholas Sparks. Recently, locals noted that two other beachfront homes withstood the impact of Hurricane Erin, which is a bit of a relief given the situation.

The latest house to fall was surprisingly close to the iconic Cape Hatteras lighthouse, which, if you remember, was rescued from erosion by being moved inland 2,900 feet back in 1999.

In a broader context, Dare County Planning Director Noah Gilman reported that among about 30 structures deemed unsafe for habitation last month was also part of a couple of hotels, particularly when Hurricane Erin brushed the coast.

Gilman added that the rate of erosion in Buxton has sharply risen in recent years, and that the aftermath of Hurricane Erin has certainly added to the existing challenges faced by these properties.

As for the property owners, they’ll need to make their own decisions regarding any necessary repairs to ensure compliance with safety regulations.